Interest growing for event venue in downtown Spartanburg

Friday

Jun 13, 2014 at 7:39 PM

Plans to bring a new large-event venue to downtown Spartanburg appear to be gaining some traction.

By TREVOR ANDERSONtrevor.anderson@shj.com

Plans to bring a new large-event venue to downtown Spartanburg appear to be gaining some traction.A local group comprised of private individuals, legislators and the University of South Carolina Upstate have begun exploring the possibility of bringing a multipurpose complex to the city that would cater to sports, entertainment, convention and other big events. It could be on par with the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in downtown Greenville and others like it.The concept came to light Friday after Gov. Nikki Haley on Thursday vetoed $200,000 in funding for the project as part of the $18.5 million in spending cuts from the state Legislature's $7 billion spending plan for the coming year.John Perry, executive director of university boards and public affairs for USC Upstate, who is helping to organize the groups pushing the project forward, said the request for the funding was made at the last minute during budget meetings.The money would have been used to pay for a feasibility study, concept design and some master planning. But the loss, if legislators choose not to overturn Haley's veto, will have little impact on the project, Perry said.“A downtown arena facility has been talked about for the past 10 years,” Perry said. “This one came up within the last four to five months. Some private citizens interested in growing downtown came forward with it. We thought it was worth a look.”Perry said USC Upstate is approaching the project from the perspective of a tenant. The university could play some of its basketball games or have graduation and convocation events there. The college is only aiding in the process to move things forward.He said a private consultant has been hired to gauge community interest in the facility.“We expect a report within the month,” Perry said. “That would give us some idea of where the marketplace stands.”A site has not been selected, but Perry said several are being considered, including property owned by the city behind the Marriott and USC Upstate's downtown business school.“Right now, there is the idea and a study to determine the synergies and other issues,” Perry said. “Until we see what the total community thinks, we don't know… There has been this feeling over the past five to six years that downtown is coming alive — that we're reaching the tipping point. An arena might be the thing that pushes it over the edge.”Perry said local high schools could use the facility. Trade shows, conventions, national music acts and a spate of other activities could help bring visitors to downtown.And local officials seem to be taking the proposal seriously.“It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that folks in Spartanburg are always at work on exploring possibilities to improve the community,” Spartanburg Assistant City Manager Chris Story said. “For every concept that gets executed, there are many many others that are explored. No one is rushing to judgment on this concept, but it's great that creative and engaged folks are looking for bold ways to further the building momentum in downtown Spartanburg and doing so in a responsible and professional manner.”